North Dakota's average medical assistant salary of $46,870 places it above Wyoming ($42,680) and South Dakota ($42,170) but below Minnesota ($51,660) and Nebraska ($48,040) among regional peers. This positions North Dakota as a mid-range market where compensation expectations are broadly in line with Montana ($46,570). If you are competing for candidates who have offers from Minnesota employers, plan to address the roughly $4,790 gap in your total compensation package.
Medical assistant salary in North Dakota (2026)
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The average medical assistant salary in North Dakota is $46,870 per year. A small pool of very high earners pulls that average upward, so the median of $45,980 gives you a more reliable starting point for most hiring decisions. North Dakota employs 600 medical assistants, and the $890 gap between the mean and median reflects real variation in the candidate pool you will be evaluating. Junior medical assistants in North Dakota typically earn around $37,650, while senior specialists typically reach or exceed $58,230. Plan for a range rather than a single number when budgeting for a medical assistant hire in North Dakota, and anchor that range to the seniority and specialization of the role you are filling.
Metric / Value
Metric | Value |
Median Annual Salary | $45,980 |
Average Annual Salary | $46,870 |
vs. National Average | 1.6% above the national mean of $46,120 |
Data comes from the BLS OEWS and covers 600 employed medical assistants across North Dakota.
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Medical assistant salary percentiles in North Dakota
Percentile | Annual Salary |
10th Percentile | $37,650 |
25th Percentile | $39,090 |
75th Percentile | $54,620 |
90th Percentile | $58,230 |
Setting your offer below $39,090 will put you outside the range most experienced candidates in North Dakota will consider, while a budget reaching $54,620 or above positions you to attract candidates with stronger clinical backgrounds. Senior specialists in North Dakota typically reach or exceed $58,230, so roles requiring advanced skills or supervisory responsibilities should be anchored toward the upper end of this range.
Medical assistant salary by city in North Dakota
City | Average Annual Salary |
Bismarck | $47,930 |
Fargo | $47,840 |
Minot | $44,780 |
Grand Forks | $43,680 |
Employers hiring in Bismarck or Fargo should budget meaningfully more than those hiring in Grand Forks, since the gap between those markets reaches $4,250 in average annual pay. Bismarck leads the state at $47,930, while Grand Forks sits at the lower end at $43,680, giving location-flexible employers a real cost consideration when deciding where to base a role.
How North Dakota compares to other states
State | Average Annual Salary | Median Annual Salary |
North Dakota | $46,870 | $45,980 |
Minnesota | $51,660 | $50,480 |
Nebraska | $48,040 | $47,370 |
Montana | $46,570 | $46,820 |
Wyoming | $42,680 | $40,920 |
South Dakota | $42,170 | $41,870 |
North Dakota sits in the middle of the regional market, making it a cost-effective alternative to Minnesota while remaining more competitive than Wyoming or South Dakota. Minnesota commands the highest average at $51,660, which is $4,790 above North Dakota's mean of $46,870, so employers competing for candidates who could relocate to Minnesota should factor that gap into their offer strategy. Montana tracks closely to North Dakota at $46,570, meaning compensation expectations across those two states are broadly similar.
Frequently asked questions about medical assistant salary in North Dakota
How does North Dakota compare to other states for medical assistant salary?
What do the top-earning medical assistants make in North Dakota?
Medical assistants at the 90th percentile in North Dakota earn $58,230 per year. Roles requiring advanced clinical skills, supervisory responsibilities, or specialized experience should be anchored toward or above this threshold to attract senior-level candidates. Budget accordingly if the position you are filling demands more than entry-level or generalist competencies.
What is the salary range for a medical assistant in North Dakota?
The salary range for a medical assistant in North Dakota runs from $37,650 at the 10th percentile to $58,230 at the 90th percentile. The 25th percentile sits at $39,090 and the 75th percentile at $54,620, giving you a practical mid-range band for most hiring scenarios. Use the seniority and specialization of your specific role to determine where within that range your offer should land.
What is the average medical assistant salary in North Dakota?
The average medical assistant salary in North Dakota is $46,870 per year, which sits 1.6% above the national mean of $46,120. The median of $45,980 is the more grounded figure for most hiring decisions, since a smaller group of higher-compensated roles pulls the average slightly upward. Use the median as your baseline and adjust upward based on the experience level and responsibilities of the role you are filling.
Medical Assistant salary by state
Data sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), 2025, SOC code 31-9092 (Medical Assistants).
Disclaimer
Rippling and its affiliates do not provide tax, accounting, or legal advice. This material has been prepared for informational purposes only, and is not intended to provide or be relied on for tax, accounting, or legal advice. You should consult your own tax, accounting, and legal advisors before engaging in any related activities or transactions.
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